Shi People, DRC, Ceremonial Sword

This crucifix, cast in solid bronze, is known as a Nkangi Kiditu, qui signifie « Christ protecteur », and is from the Kongo people of the Congo. Christ is portrayed with his head inclined to the left, his eyes closed and his mouth shut. The right ankle over the left, with a small loin cloth cast, the nipples marked and with radiating geometric patterns to denote his ribs and hair. The Christ figure is stylized, the face severely abstracted and hands and feet treated as fanlike forms.The Portuguese presence in the coastal regions of west Africa in the 15th and 16th centuries saw the local tribal people absorb European influence. The Kingdom of Kongo, founded in the 14th century, has some of the earliest Christian influence in sub-Saharan Africa. The conversion to Christianity in 1512 of King Alfoso I of the Kongo saw the subsequent creation by Kongolese bronze casters of Christian crucifixes...

Yaka community leaders have a number of items that form part of their royal collection. One of these items is the kopa ceremonial cup (also called koopa...

Beautifully crafted dager from Nigeria (Haussa People) with an organic handle. Hausa people are frond in northwestern Nigeria and adjacent southern Ni...

This piece of a pottery vessel, embellished with high relief figures, was made by women of the ethnic group of the Bariba (or Baatonu) in the northern provinces of Benin. The Bariba potters passed their trade from mother to daughter. They didn’t make their vessels on a pottery wheel...

Nice composition in Dense Bunukwa rainforest hardwood, inlaid shell and lime. Carved wooden pig, standing, tail straight and protrudes backwards with rows of carved zig zag...

Top of a scepter sculptured in bronze alloy finial with two identical faces on both sides. Nice natural use patina. Base included in the price.

Ceremonial African sword hand hammered.

A fine pair of Classical Revival ceremonial swords with brassed handles, attached to a pressed steel shield with nickel plating featuring classical, angelic and military figures, som...

Three beautifully carved and patinated ceremonial drums from Sumba, Indonesia, circa 1930. Priced and sold individually. Sizes vary. Left and middle dr...

A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king...

A covered lacquer monastery food bowl used to transport food to monks in Burmese temple. Burma, c.1920. L106

Early 20th century ceremonial form A very unusual hand carved Central Asia, northeastern India/Burma, Naga people, ca. early 20th century CE. An intrigu...